GAO warns of supplier abuses

Some durable medical
equipment, prosthetic, and orthotics suppliers (DMEPOS) are abusing the Medicare
system, despite fraud-prevention safeguards, according to a new report from the
Government Accountability Office.In its investigation, GAO investigators
created two false suppliers in Virginia and Maryland, the Bureau of National
Affairs reported. The fake vendors were approved to bill Medicare, even though
neither met all of the 25 supplier standards required of DMEPOS companies.
Nursing homes deal regularly with DMEPOS suppliers and some facilities even
have established their own supplier businesses.